SLIPPERY ROCK — Contender or pretender? It's time to find out.

Slippery Rock University's football team heads to Edinboro for a 2 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Sox Harrision Stadium in a battle of the PSAC's top-two ranked defenses.

Both teams are 4-1. The Rock is 2-0 in the PSAC West while the Fighting Scots are 1-1 after last week's 19-0 loss at Indiana (Pa.). Edinboro averaged 37 points per game in its first four contests.

“We turned the football over way too many times (five) and took two many penalties,” Edinboro coach Scott Browning said. “We didn't play well at all.”

The Scots had suffered only two turnovers all year leading into that game.

The Rock defense is ranked No. 1 in all of NCAA Division II and has not allowed a touchdown in the past 10 quarters. But SRU's first five opponents have a combined record of 5-19 thus far.

SRU's next two foes — Edinboro and California — are a combined 8-2 on the year.

“This is a pivotal game on the schedule for both teams,” Rock coach George Mihalik acknowledged. “They can't afford their second loss in the conference and we don't want our first.”

Edinboro quarterback Cody Harris, who has completed a stellar 71 of 105 passes for 739 yards and seven touchdowns this year, left the IUP game with an injury last week and his status for Saturday is unknown.

With Harris sidelined, the Scots went to a wildcat formation with a receiver lining up behind center.

“That would be a totally different set-up for us to defend, but I've got to believe Cody's gonna play,” Mihalik said. “We're preparing that way.”

The Rock has its own injury issues. While all-conference cornerback Andre Freeman returns from suspension this week, SRU is without starting right guard Kirk Nypaver, who is doubtful with an ankle injury. If Nypaver can't go, redshirt freshman Bill Whitaker will start in his place.

“Our line has been showing continuity of late and to have a starter go down ... It's concerning,” Mihalik said.

Noseguard Jack Charles will be a game-day decision with a shoulder problem. Slippery Rock High School graduate Tony Papley — who filled in ably for Charles last week — would start in his place.

“Edinboro has an outstanding defense. They're solid in all phases there,” Mihalik said. “This is the best defense and most versatile offense we will have faced so far.”

Linebacker Ryan Skelton leads the Scots defensively with 43 tackles — 25 solos — and 4.5 quarterback sacks. Defensive end Keir Jeter has 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Edinboro has intercepted nine passes on the year.

“We have to prepare for the Slippery Rock of old, which likes to run the football, but we've got to be wary of that passing game they have now, also,” Browning said. “It's been a successful combination for them.

“Slippery Rock has been the sleeper in the West this year. They've put together quite a team.”

SRU quarterbascvk Cody Endres was Co-PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week last Saturday, completing 27 of 35 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns. He's thrown for 1,076 yards and receiver Devin Goda has 34 catches for 430 yards.

Goda (132) needs only six receptions to pass Colin Golden for second all-time on The Rock's career reception list. Greg Hopkins tops that chart with 215 career catches.

Alex Romanias is perfect on seven field goal attempts and 18 PATs this year while SRU's Kurt Brackman has hit seven of eight field goal tries, including two last week.

Brackman had a few kicks blocked in recent weeks, but Mihalik said that problem has been corrected.

“Kurt was hitting the ball too low and made the adjustment,” Mihalik said. “I'm fully confident in our kicking game again — and this game could come down to a kick.

“It will be a four-quarter game, to be sure. This one won't be easy for either team.”

MIHALIK VS. EDINBORO

---

Slippery Rock University leads its all-time football series against Edinboro 50-26-7, but coach George Mihalik is an even 11-11-1 against the Fighting Scots:

Year SRU Edin.2010 28 142009 24 282008 14 352007 59 342006 24 212005 7 242004 26 382003 3 202002 7 32001 7 142000 42 71999 34 171998 34 141997 30 101996 35 281995 13 221994 39 591993 38 411992 10 71991 7 01990 10 171989 7 621988 14 14